City of Standish adjusts water and sewer rates

STANDISH — Users of city water and sewer in Standish will pay a higher base rate but lower usage rate after the Standish city council approved a resolution at its March 25 meeting to change rates for the 2010-2011 budget.

Water will be $32 for the base, ready-to-serve charge on a three-quarter-inch meter, and the usage price will be $7.05 per 1,000 gallons. Sewer will now be $15 for the ready-to-serve charge on a three-quarter-inch meter and a usage charge of $6 per 1,000 gallons.

There will also be a 90 cents per 1,000 gallons charge on water and sewer usage rates to pay for sewer debt. The charge had previously been 75 cents per 1,000 gallons.

The 90 cents will cover half of the debt payments, while the other half will be paid for through a 1.25 mil increase on taxable value.

Prior to the resolution, the water usage rate was $9.10 per 1,000 gallons and $12.15 for the ready-to-serve charge. The sewer usage rate was $4.95 per 1,000 gallons and $12.50 for the ready-to-serve charge.